Researchers at Yokohama National University have tackled this issue by creating an untethered levitation device capable of moving in all directions. This innovative design eliminates friction, enabling rapid and agile movement, which can be invaluable in machine assembly, biomedical applications, and chemical processes that require contactless transport.
The study’s findings, published in the journal Advanced Intelligent Systems, demonstrated the successful mitigation of friction by the levitation device. The device maintained frictionless movement at speeds exceeding three meters per second on an inclined surface. When the levitation function was activated, the device moved freely on a 10° incline, showcasing the effectiveness of the levitation mechanism.
Furthermore, the device was tested under varying weight loads, a crucial aspect for its practical application. The device remained levitated and mobile under a total weight of 150 grams, with an additional 43 grams of weight capacity. Beyond this threshold, the device lost its levitation capability and mobility.
To achieve this free-moving, high-speed device, the researchers opted for acoustic levitation over magnetic or pneumatic methods due to their limitations. Acoustic levitation, which suspends objects using sound waves, eliminates the need for external equipment but typically involves cables that disrupt positioning.
“We overcame the cable limitation by developing an untethered levitation device with a wireless drive circuit, ensuring stable levitation and swift transport,” explained Ohmi Fuchiwaki, the study’s author and associate professor at Yokohama National University.
Additionally, a piezoelectric actuator was utilized to produce a squeeze film, enabling omnidirectional, frictionless transport without the reliance on cables or tethers. Future enhancements aim to improve levitation efficiency, stability under loads, and adaptability to irregular surfaces.
The long-term vision involves creating a robot incorporating multiple levitation devices and a propulsion system to enhance the contactless delivery of machine parts, biomedical cells, and other small components through this groundbreaking technology.
